BIO: Seth Watters

FACULTY - MUSIC THEORY & SONGWRITING

PERFORMANCE COACH - BASS, DRUMS

Born and raised in the Atlanta area, Seth Watters has extensive professional touring and recording experience. His technical aptitude spreads across various musical genres and his multi-instrument talent has landed him roles in both regional and national productions.  Averaging nearly two hundred scheduled performances per year, Seth has spent countless hours honing his craft. In the studio, clients consider him a “first-call” session player because of his proficiency in musical skill and professionalism on the job.
Seth has also pursued musical education as a path for spreading his passion beyond the stage. Working to create self-sufficient and creative musicians, Seth’s practical approach to instruction has developed aspiring musicians through one-on-one and group sessions. As his drive and passion carry him towards the future, Seth hopes to continue on his endless quest toward musical improvement.

BIO: Mat Leffler-Schulman

Mat has spent the better part of his life fascinated by recording and manipulating sound. Known as a “musician’s producer”, he’s a drummer, is analog synth-obsessed and takes great pride in his collection of theremins, vocoders and vintage tube gear. He’s worked with an eclectic and diverse range of artists, including Future Islands (Thrill Jockey / 4AD), Waka Flocka Flame (Warner Bros.), Sun Club (ATO), Mark degli Antoni (David Byrne/Soul Coughing) and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Mat earned a BS from the renowned Music Recording program at Middle Tennessee State University in Nashville. His career spans 20 years, including stints at Warner Bros. Records and DC101.

Mat is a producer, mixing engineer, and co-owner of Mobtown Studios in Baltimore.

BIO: Shira Solomon

We are thrilled to have Shira on team Judaic Mosaic. She has been very helpful around the office with data entry, composing emails, calling shuls, and spreading the word about summer camp. Prior to accepting the glorious olive wreath of Intern, Shira was one of our 5775/2015 campers. She co-wrote "The Flame," sang lead vocals, and played ukulele and guitar!

Jake Steel joins team Judaic Mosaic

We are thrilled to announce that Jake Steel has joined team Judaic Mosaic as our new Recruiter! If you attended BBYO IC within the past few years, you may recall seeing Jake perform on Thursday night. He is passionate about music and the Jewish community, which makes him a perfect addition to our staff.

Jake was one of our first campers. He co-wrote "No Hesitation" and plays the second guitar solo at the song's end (alternating with violin). Jake is currently majoring in Global Liberal Studies at New York University (2019).

BIO: Seth Kibel

FACULTY - MUSIC THEORY & SONGWRITING

PERFORMANCE COACH - WOODWINDS

Seth is one of the Mid-Atlantic’s premier woodwind specialists, working with some of the best bands in klezmer, jazz, swing, and more.  Wowing audiences on saxophone, clarinet, and flute, Seth has made a name for himself in the Washington/Baltimore region, and beyond.  He's the featured performer with The Alexandria Kleztet, Bay Jazz Project, Music Pilgrim Trio, The Natty Beaux, and more.  Winner of 28 Washington Area Music Awards (Wammies), including “Best World Music Instrumentalist” (2003-11) and “Best Jazz Instrumentalist” (2005, 2007-8, 2011-14).

Julie Peters joins camp Judaic Mosaic

We are thrilled to welcome Julie Peters to our staff as Media Director. Julie has a Bachelor’s in Consumer Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an MBA from Chicago's IIT Stuart School of Business, and has been an innovative leader in the field of marketing for over 20 years.

Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, Julie involved herself in Jewish studies, piano, dance, and an overall love of music. Julie received her Bachelor’s Degree in Consumer Marketing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Later, she completed her MBA at IIT Stuart School of Business in Chicago, IL where she co-founded Stuart School of Business Student Association. Julie has been an innovative leader in the field of marketing for over 20 years, designing, creating, and managing campaigns that resulted in establishing new brand opportunities, increased brand awareness, and presence in the marketplace.

BIO: Samantha Staviss

INTERN

We are thrilled to have Sami on board as our fabulous 5776 intern. She's a senior violist at Lassiter High School, and can be heard on two 5775/2015 recordings. Sami also plays piano and guitar, and hopes to someday visit the Rue du Rome in Paris. She will be attending Ga Tech in Fall 2016!

BIO: Ian Michael Bruh

Ian is originally from Brooklyn, NY where he attended the LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts (Fame). He graduated C.W. Post L.I.U. with a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts (BFA). As a classically trained vocalist, he uses his technique to deliver everything from the deep, smooth, soulful sound of R&B to the raw, guttural and primal wail of Blues and Funk. Perhaps most importantly, Ian has a warm and extroverted personality and knows how to connect with an audience. He performs regularly with Bumpin' the Mango and The American Flyers.

BIO: Michael Levine

Michael Levine is co-founder of The Learning Groove music & movement company for children. He's also the music producer of the first four New York Times best-selling Pete The Cat books, and he regularly performs Pete The Cat stories and TLG songs at concerts, workshops, and keynotes across the nation. As a singer-songwriter, Michael has won many awards and opened for such acts as Dave Matthews Band, Counting Crows, Live, and Joe Walsh. He also performs with his wife Bonnie in the group SunMoonPie, doing original Hebrew kirtan chants and meditative prayer services. He also runs Watertown Music and has produced/engineered records for many bands.

BIO: Mike Froedge

ENGINEER - RECORDING, MIXING

Mike has been producing, engineering, and mixing bands since the mid-1990’s. His experience includes numerous releases for major-labels such as MCA, Roadrunner, Island Def-Jam, Atlantic, Wind-Up, Universal, Warner Brothers, and others. Many of the recordings he's taken part in have enjoyed extensive FM and digital radio airplay, television and movie licensing, and some Billboard-charting singles. Mike's client list includes Beastie Boys, Mastodon, Shinedown, Siberia My Sweet, Urban Grind (feat. DJ Hurricane), Queensryche, Seether, Evanescence, Fozzy, Blackberry Smoke, Mike Martin, members of Black Label Society, and many more. His goal on every project is to create a relaxed, creative, no-pressure vibe and atmosphere. Mike goes to great lengths to make sure you're in a comfortable environment, with amazing-sounding and appropriate gear at your disposal, and in an inspired state of mind.

BIO: Eli Sperling

CONSULTANT - GRANT WRITING,
ISRAELI MUSIC HISTORY

GUEST SPEAKER

Eli is the Israel Specialist and Project Coordinator for the Institute of Modern Israeli Studies at Emory University. He also serves as a board member of the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival, and is the Programming Committee Co-Chair for both AJMF and Limmud Southeast. Before coming to Atlanta, he lived in Israel and was research assistant at Tel Aviv University, where he earned a Master's degree in Near and Middle Eastern Studies. His Bachelor's degree is also in Near and Middle Eastern Studies/Political Economy, from The Evergreen State College. Eli plays electric bass guitar and has performed with numerous bands both in Israel and Stateside.

BIO: Ellie McGraw

PERFORMANCE COACH - VOICE & MIC TECHNIQUE

The eldest daughter of a barbershop baritone and a choir soprano, Ellie grew up in a house full of music. She studied piano and violin, sang in community theater, and performed in bands. She double-majored in Theatrical Design and Music Composition/Theory at the University of Wisconsin, where she founded and directed Middleton Children's Theater Company. She then earned a degree in Education and taught for 21 years in Atlanta, including 7 years at Davis Academy. Ellie has appeared as a soloist on 4 albums of Jewish music and recently opened for Paul Simon at Emory University.

BIO: Nick Edelstein

executive DIRECTOR & FOUNDER

FACULTY - MUSIC THEORY & SONGWRITING

PERFORMANCE COACH - GUITARS, KEYS, BRASS

Nick is a multi-instrumentalist and music educator based in Atlanta. He has produced seven albums and recorded on dozens more - both digital and tape analog format - alongside GRAMMY-winning and critically-acclaimed artists. He has also performed over 1,500 concerts, some with major-label artists, and his original works have been featured on TV and FM radio worldwide. Nick studied Jazz improvisation, Composition/Theory, Music History and Comparative Literature at the University of Georgia. He is a BMI Songwriter, voting member of The Recording Academy (NARAS), and is endorsed by Holland Guitars.